WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Metro detectives compare homeless shootings

Metro detectives compare homeless shootings

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the investigation into the shooting death of 46-year-old Edward Matthews continues, Metro police detectives are still working to identify the man who shot and wounded another homeless man in March and investigating if the two shootings are connected.

Matthews, who was homeless, was found dead on a Church Street park bench in the early morning hours of November 3.

In the early morning hours of March 10, Albanus Kitaka was sleeping along Fifth Avenue North when he said he was kicked and awakened by a man.

Kitaka, who was age 60 at the time, suffered a gunshot wound to the mouth.

He was taken to the hospital and has since recovered.

Similarities between the two cases include the close proximity of the locations, both occurred in the early morning hours and both involved homeless men.

Metro police said Kitaka has related that he believes the person who shot him was a black man.

Homicide-Cold Case detectives are working with Central Precinct officers and investigators to continue interviewing homeless persons about both shootings.

Anyone with information about either case is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.

Previous Stories:

• Nov. 9, 2009: Local woman hopes brother's killer brought to justice
• Nov. 4, 2009: Deadly homeless shooting raises concerns on Nashville crime
• Nov. 3, 2009: Man found fatally shot on downtown park bench